Automatic umbrella steamer



y 1968 K. ROSENBAUM 3,390,466

AUTOMATIC UMBRELLA STEAMER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 5. 1966 I F/G. 6 /3 /9 5 49 26 & f

f INVENTOR.

KURT ROSENBAUM ATTORNEY July 2, 196 8 K. ROSENBAUM 3,390,466

AUTOMAT I C UMBRELLA STEAMER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 5, 1966 7ag 59 FIG 3 51 if 75 7 1 v as 87 6 g 7 58 5 7/0 INVENTOR. KURT ROSEN BAUM wfwda/wd/ ATTQRNEY July 2, 1968 K. ROSENBAUM 3,390,466

AUTOMATIC UMBRELLA STEAMER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 5, 1966 HVVENTUR. KURT ROSENBAUM WWW ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,390,466 AUTOMATIC UMBRELLA STEAMER Kurt Rosenbaum, Spring Valley, N.Y., assiguor to Umbrella Automation, Inc., White Plains, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 5, 1966, Ser. No. 570,541 7 Claims. (Cl. 34-87) This invention relates to an automatic steamer device for processing umbrellas, and more particularly to a device for steaming umbrella covers after the same have been secured to the umbrella frame.

As is well known in the art, after assembly of the umbrella frame, an umbrella cover is secured thereto and the composite typically subjected to a steaming step whereby live steam is directed against portions of the umbrella cover to eliminate wrinkles existing in the cover material or developed when the material is stressed into position on the frame. Such umbrella steaming step has heretofore been carried out by hand by an operator who activates a steam control valve leading to a steamer head and simultaneously manuually positions the umbrella having the stretched cover in proximity to the steamer head. The operator works the umbrella back and forth adjacent the head until the wrinkles have been removed from the cover, whereupon the umbrella is subjected to further manufacturing steps, such as application of the handle.

As will be evident from the foregoing description of current practice, umbrella steaming is a time consuming operation which requires the full time attention of the operator during the steaming process. Previous attempts to provide automatic or semi-automatic umbrella steaming devices, thus eliminating the hand steaming operation, have proven universally unsuccessful. Such devices have suffered from one or more of the disadvantages which include: requiring a high capacity steam supply; high installation and maintenance costs; unduly slow operation; inability to accommodate to the wide variety of shapes and sizes of umbrellas manufactured; spotting or staining of the umbrella cover; and inferior performance as contrasted with results achieved by hand steaming.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an automatic umbrella steaming apparatus which eliminates all of the disadvantages associated with steamer devices heretofore known.

A further object of the inveniton is the provision of an automatic umbrella steaming apparatus wherein the operator need merely insert the rod or shank of the opened umbrella into the apparatus, all other steps being automatically performed, thus permitting a single operator to control several such steaming devices.

A further object of the invention is the provision of simple and efiicient apparatus for steaming umbrellas which may be readily adjusted to accommodate a wide range of umbrella sizes and shapes.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an automatic umbrella steamer which may be readily set into ope-ration by a simple insertion of the umbrella rod or shank into the steamer apparatus.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of the class described which may operate with a relatively low capacity steam supply as contrasted with steamers heretofore known.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of an automatic umbrella steamer device having an improved steam distribution head which assures against exposing the umbrella cover to steam condensate as opposed to live steam.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of an automatic steamer of the type describedwhich subjects increments of the umbrella cover to steaming while other portions of the cover are not being steamed, in the 3,13%,456 Patented July 2, 1968 "ice manner of a hand steaming operation, rather than simultaneously steaming the entire cover, as has been attempted in devices heretofore known.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an umbrella steaming device in accordance with the invention, with certain of the parts broken away to show details of construction;

FIGURE 2 is a magnified vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a magnified fragmentary sectional view through the steamer head of the apparatus;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic view of the circuitry of the device.

In accordance with the invention, an open box frame 10, which may be mounted on the floor or or top of a work bench, as desired, includes a horizontal strut member 11 on which is pivotally mounted a carriage 12 by means of a pinion shaft 13 which extends through aligned bearing apertures 14a, 15a formed in parallel side walls 14, 15 of the carriage 12, and through similar bearing apert-ures 16a, 17a formed in the side members 16, 17 of the strut 11. A threaded, generally U-shaped yoke 18 is pivotally mounted between the side walls 16, 17 by bearing pins 19, 20 extending through aligned apertures 16b, 17b form-ed in the side walls and into registering apertures formed in the upwardly directed legs 21, 22 of the yoke 18.

A threaded aperture 23 is formed centrally in the central branch 24 of the yoke, an elongated angular adjustment bolt 25 being threadedly connected within the aperture 23, with portions of the bolt projecting both below and above the branch 24. An adjustment knob 26 is provided adjacent the lower end of the bolt 25, the upper end 27 of the bolt being rotatably fixed to a transversely extending support bracket 28 made fast to the carriage 12 From the foregoing it will be evident that rotation of the knob 26, and hence the bolt 25, will result in an upward or downward threading of the bolt with respect to the yoke 18, causing the entire carriage to be arcuately adjustable in the direction of the arrows A, FIGURE 1, about the shaft 13.

The carriage walls 14, 15 include opposed, inwardly open slots or tracks 14, 15', within which tracks the mounting plate 29 of the umbrella support housing is slidingly disposed. The mounting plate 29 is forwardly and rearwardly adjustable within the tracks 14, 15 in the direction of the arrows B (FIGURE 1) by a longitudinal adjusting assembly next to be described.

The mounting plate 29 is preferably integrally formed on its under surface with a longitudinally extending toothed rack portion 30, the downwardly directed teeth of said rack portion being meshed with a pinion gear 31 keyed to the shaft 13. An adjustment knob 32 is likewise keyed to the shaft 13 and it will be readily recognized that a rotation of the knob 32 and, hence, the pinion gear 31, will drive the mounting plate 29 forwardly or rearwardly in the direction of the arrows B.

Optionally but preferably, the shaft 13 adjacent the knob 32 is threaded, as at 33, a lock nut 34 being threaded over the portion 33. Prior to angular adjustment of the carriage or longitudinal adjustment of the mounting plate, the lock nut is loosened, and after the desired adjustments are effected, retightened against wall 14 of the carriage to preserve the parts in the desired adjusted relationship. A high friction connection to prevent rotation of the shaft 13 may be substituted for the lock nut assembly above described.

On the mounting plate 29 there is disposed the umbrella receiving apparatus. The receiving apparatus is driven by a motor M mounted on the plate 2% by means of spacer bars 35. The motor it, through a reduction gear assembly 36, is connected to the umbrella drive shaft 37.

The uppermost end 38 (see FIGURE 2) of the shaft 37 is disposed within a stationary clamp casing 39, the casing being affixcd as at it to the forward end of the mounting plate 29. The casing is provided with a rear or lower aperture 41 through which shaft 37 passes, the aperture 41 providing sufficient clearance to permit rotation of the shaft relative to the casing. A boss 42 is affixed to the front wall 43 of the casing, the boss defining an aperture 44 which is axially aligned with aperture 41 in the rear wall 45 of the casing.

The end 38 of the shaft 37 is recessed as at 46, the shaft being provided with an elongated, axially extending aperture 47 which communicates at its upper end with the recess 46. A plunger 48 is slidably received in the shaft 37, the plunger including an enlarged head portion 9 and an elongated neck portion 50. The neck portion 50 is slidably received within the axially extending bore 47, the plunger head 49- bcing preferably of a size to be shiftable into recess 46.

A coil spring 51 is seated in the recess 46, the outer end of the spring being biased against the enlarged portion 49 of the plunger 48 and urging it normally upwardly to the dotted line position shown in FIGURE 2.

A clamp assembly 52 is aflixed, as by welding, to the upper end 38 of the shaft 37. The clamp assembly, which is best illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, comprises a ferrule 53 having flaring mouth portion 54. The ferrule at a central portion 55, is cut away to provide access to the interior portions thereof. The clamp assembly includes a U-shaped bracket 56 having a central or branch portion 57 keyed by a spline 58 to rotate with the ferrule 53.

The bracket 56 includes a pair of longitudinally spacedapart legs 59, 60 which extend to the opposite side of the ferrule from the branch portion 57 and surround the access aperture 55 formed in the ferrule. A pivot pin 61 is afiixed to the bracket 56, the pin 51 supporting an actuator bar assembly comprising a pair of spaced parallel link members 62, 63. A movable jaw member 64 is disposed between the spaced link members 62, 63, the jaws being pivotally mounted thereto by a cross pin 65, the jaw extending through access aperture 55.

The ends 66 of the link members 62, d3 are connected by a cross pin 67. A clamp plate 68 is fixed to the under surface of the bracket 56, a coil spring 69 being tensioned between spring scat 7t) on the clamp plate and the pin 67.

From the foregoing it will be evident that by reason of the tension of spring 69', the links 62, 63 will be normally pivoted in a clockwise position about the pin 61 to the dot and dash line position shown in FIGURE 3.

In order to limit the downward movement of the end 65 of the link arms, an adjustable locator screw '71, threadedly connected to an offset arm 72, is provided with an upper stop portion '73 which will bear against the under surface of the end portion 65 of the link arms.

A solenoid member 74 is affixed to the plate 68 and includes plunger or armature 75 which is shiftable toward and away from the plate. The upper end 76 of the plunger 75 is threaded, an adjustment nut 77 and a locking nut 73 being mounted on the threaded portion of the end 76. A coil spring 79 is interposed between the adjustment nut 77 and the other ends 86 of the link arms 52, 63. The armature or plunger 75 of the solenoid 4- passes through an aperture formed in an offset member 81 extending from the bracket A stop pin 8?; ntlixed to the plunger or armature 75 may engage against the surface of the offset member 81 to form a stop which limits the downward throw of the plunger 75 when the solenoid 74 is energized.

To one side of the outer face of the clamp casing 39 there are atfixed by welding 21 pair of guide support brackets 83, 83, the opposite side of the casing being provided with a pair of similar brackets 84, 84. The brackets 83, 83, and 84, 84 include axially aligned apertures within which there are mounted side guide rods 85, 86, respectively. Knurled lock bolts 87, 88 on the brackets 83, 84, respectively, may be tightened to maintain the rods 85, S5 in any desired lengthwisely adjusted position with respect to the brackets.

The free ends of the rods 85, 36 are connected by a transversely extending umbrella shaft guide 89 having a central U-shaped cutout portion 90 which is aligned with the apertures 41, 4 in the walls 45 and 43, respectively, of the casing 39.

A steamer assembly 91 is affixed to the frame 16 and extends generally forwardly thereof in spaced relation to the casing 39. The steamer assembly 91 includes an access steam pipe 92, to the outer end 93 of which is mounted the steamer head assembly 94. The steamer head assembly 94 incorporates a distribution chamber 95 and a heater chamber 96 (see FIGURE 5).

As best seen in said figure, the pipe 92 includes a coaxially disposed central conduit 97 which communicates with the chamber 95 only, and an outer conduit 98 which communicates with the heater chamber 96. The pipe 92 is connected to a source of steam, the stem conduit 98 being constantly in communication with said source, while the central conduit 97 is arranged to be intermittently connected to the source by a steam solenoid control valve SS. The uppermost end 99 of the central conduit 98 defines a flared distributing tip, the outer Wall 100 of the steamer head being provided with the usual steam expressing apertures 101.

Adjustment The device must first be adjusted for the particular type and size of umbrella which is to be steamed. To accomplish this result, the shank 102 of the umbrella 193 is inserted through front aperture 44 in the clamp casing 39 while the circuits are disconnected. The umbrella is forced downwardly so that the lowermost end 104 depresses or forces the plunger 48 to its lowermost position. With the lock nut 34 loosened, the adjustment knob 32 is rotated to advance or retract the base plate 29 forwardly or rearwardly with respect to carriage 12 to the point whereat the cover or skin C of the umbrella is spaced the desired distance from the steamer head 94. A sufiicient spacing must be provided to permit the umbrella to be rotated without interference with the steamer head. At the same time, the angular adjustment knob 26 is rotated to tilt the carriage in such manner as to dispose the umbrella in a desired angular relationship with respect to the steamer head. Generally it is preferable to locate the umbrella so that the primary steam force is directed against the cover portions adjacent the umbrella tips. When the noted adjustments have been effected, the lock nut 34 may be retightened.

The umbrella shaft guide 89 is adjusted by loosening the knurled screws 87, 88, and sliding the rods 85, 86 forwardly or rearwardly, to locate the U-shaped guide channel in the shaft guide 89 so as to form a bearing for the shank of the umbrella and guard against tilting of the umbrella when it is supported in the device.

With the aforementioned adjustments effected, circuits of the device may be energized and the device utilized for its intended purpose.

Operation The device is operated by inserting the umbrella shank I02 downwardly through the opening 44 in the front wall 2-3 of the easing, into the ferrule 52, until the lowermost end 104 of the umbrella shank engages and depresses the plunger 48 against the lifting or outward force exerted on the plunger by the spring 51. As shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 6, the lower end of the plunger neck 50 is disposed adjacent a microswitch SW which is closed by the downward movement imparted to the plunger by the umbrella shank. The switch SW, when closed, completes the circuit through a time delay relay device 105 of any known type, preferably one having an adjustable time cycle, the relay device operating to energize the steam control solenoid SS and the clamp solenoid 74.

It will be understood that, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the shaft 37 is constantly rotated at a relatively slow speed (in the neighborhood of about 12 r.p.m.) by the continuously energized motor M. It will also 'be understood that the umbrella is free to rotate relative to the clamp assembly until the clamp is actuated by energization of the solenoid 74. When the solenoid 74 is energized, the armature 75 will be shifted downwardly from the dot and dash to the solid line positions shown in FIGURE 3, carrying the end 80 of the link arms 62, 63 downwardly against the clamp opening forces exerted by the spring 69. Downward movement of the link arms will also carry the clamp jaw 64 downwardly, the jaw being provided with a serrated, generally V-shaped gripper portion 64' which is tightly urged against the shank 102 of the umbrella, pinning the shank against the side walls of the ferrule 53 opposite the access aperture 55 formed in the ferrule.

The force applied by the solenoid to the link arms 62, 63 is exerted through the spring 79, thus permitting the clamp to compensate, to a degree, for irregularities in the thickness of the umbrella shank without varying the throw or degree of movement of the armature 75 of the solenoid 74.

With the activation of the clamp in the manner aforesaid, the umbrella is caused to rotate with the rotating clamp, thus scanning portions of the cover over the steam head 94 which has been simultaneously energized to emit steam by operation of the steam control valve SS. The umbrella will continue to rotate and the steam will continue to be emitted for a period of time which is a function of the delay setting of the time delay relay assembly 105.

It is important that the umbrella cover C be prevented from contacting water, as opposed to live steam. In steamer devices heretofore known, there was a tendency for water to be condensed from the steam, particularly at the cooler atmosphere adjacent portions of the steamer head. When steam is admitted to such chamber, the condensed fluid is ejected under pressure and directed against the umbrella cover, with the result that the cover may be spotted and, in some instances where minerals or other matter have been collected, stained.

In the apparatus of the present invention there is provided a heater chamber 96 having constant access to the steam under pressure directly adjacent the chamber 95 into which steam is intermittently introduced. By this arrangement, the constant heat from chamber 96 tends to prevent the formation of condensates within the contiguous chamber 95, thus lessening if not completely eliminating the possibility of spotting or staining the umbrella cover.

After the time delay relay has completed its intended timed cycle, the relay operates to break the circuit to the steam solenoid valve SS and to the clamp solenoid 74. With the de-energization of solenoid 74, arms 62, 63 will immediately be pivoted upwardly to the dot and dash position (FIGURE 3) by the action of the spring 69, whereupon the umbrella will again be free to rotate relative to the constantly turning clamp and the upward pressure of the plunger spring 51 will be effective to shift the umbrella shaft 102 slightly upwardly or outwardly of the device, thus clearing the lowermost end of the plunger shaft or neck 50 from contact with the actuator switch SW. The lifting or clearing action of the umbrella cffected by the spring 51 is an important feature of the invention and provides improved operation by assuring that an inadvertent or accidental recycling of the device cannot occur. Such recycling could possibly occur if, upon release of the clamp solenoid, the lowermost end of the umbrella shaft remained in a position whereat the tip of the plunger remained in closing position of the switch SW or so close to such closing position that a very slight downward movement could reclose the switch. Such slight downward movement might easily be encountered in the course of removing the umbrella from the apparatus. It will be readily recognized that in the course of gripping the exposed portions of the umbrella for removal, a slight downward force might easily be applied thereto and, but for the considerable spacing or upward movement effected by the plunger spring 51, the undesired recycling might occur.

From the foregoing it will be evident that once a proper adjustment of the device is effected, it is merely necessary for the attendant to insert the shank of an umbrella into the opening provided therefor, force the same downwardly until the automatic clamp is actuated, and wait until the steam cycle has been completed. Since all actions after insertion of the umbrella shaft are completely automatic, it is altogether feasible for a single attendant to ope-rate four or more machines simultaneously.

There is no possibility of inadvertently contacting the cover of the umbrella directly with the steamer head, as is the case in hand steaming operations and, thus, the danger of soiling is eliminated. Moreover, a foreman or experienced worker may initially set the adjustment or spacing between the cover and steam head for optimum steaming conditions, without fear of damage to the umbrella through over-steaming.

Having thus described the invention and illustrated its use, what is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An automatic umbrella steamer device comprising a support frame, umbrella shank receiver means rotatably mounted on said frame for supporting the shank of an umbrella, motor means for said frame operatively associated with said receiver means for rotating said receiver means relative to said frame, clamp means movably mounted in said receiver means and shiftable between a normally open releasing position and a closed gripping position of said shank, said clamp means, in the closed position, locking said shank against rotation relative to said receiver means, steam discharge means on said frame, and switch means positioned to be closed by the shank of an umbrella inserted into said receiver means, for activating said discharge means and shifting said clamp means to the closed position, responsive to the insertion of an umbrella shank into said receiver means.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said steam discharge means comprises a heater chamber continuously connected to a source of steam, and a discharge chamber, said chambers being disposed in contiguous, heat transferring relation to each other, but isolated against the passage of steam from one said chamber to the other, said discharge chamber being intermittently connected to said source of steam responsive to closing of said switch means. i

3. A device in accordance with claim 1 and including time delay means for maintaining said discharge means in activated position and said clamp means in closed position for a predetermined period after closing of said switch means, said delay means deactivating said discharge means and releasing said clamp means after said period, the combination including spring means for engaging said shank and automatically biasing said shank outwardly to switch opening position upon release of said clamp means.

4. An automatic umbrella steamer device comprising a frame, motor means mounted on said frame, a tubular umbrella shank receiver mounted to said frame for rotation about its longitudinal axis, said receiver being pivotable with respect to said frame about a horizontal axis, said motor means being drivingly connected to said receiver means, clamp means on said receiver means, clamp spring means biasing said clamp means to a normally open position, solenoid means operably associated with said clamp means for shifting said clamp means to the closed position against the pressure of said clamp spring means, a steamer head fixed to said frame and positioned to lie inwardly adjacent the cover of an umbrella when the umbrella shank is disposed in said receiver, stop means movably mounted in said receiver for limiting inward movement of an umbrella shank into said receiver, a stop spring biasing said stop means outwardly of said receiver and switch means actuated by inward movement of said stop means in response to insertion of an umbrella shank thereagainst for simultaneously activating said steamer head and energizing said solenoid.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4 and including first adjustment means interposed between said receiver and frame for pivoting said receiver about said horizontal axis, and second adjustment means interposed between said steamer head and receiver means for relatively moving said receiver means and head toward and away from each other.

6. An automatic umbrella steamer comprising a steamer head, motor means, clamp means arranged to be continuously rotated by said motor means and normally biased to the open position to permit passage through said rotating clamp means of an umbrella shank, solenoid means for shifting said clamp means to the closed, shank gripping position, a spring pressed plunger positioned to engage an umbrella shank extending through said clamp means, movement of said shank a predetermined distance beyond said clamp means being'effective, to shift said plunger to a depressed position against said spring pressure, switch means activated responsive to movement of said plunger to said depressed position, time delay means activated by said switch means for activating said steamer head and solenoid means to close said clamp means, and to deactivate said head and solenoid after a predetermined time lag, the spring pressure of said plunger being sufiicient, on release of said clamp means, to shift said plunger bodily from said depressed position.

7. A device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said shank is free to rotate relative to said clamp means in said open position of said means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 792,737 6/1905 Smith. 2,373,339 4/1945 Roberts.

2,534,831 12/1950 Polan 34-103 X 2,539,445 1/1951 Levin 34-104 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 127,375 4/ 1948 Australia.

FREDERICK L. MATTESON, 111., Primary Examiner.

H. B. RAMEY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN AUTOMATIC UMBRELLA STEAMER DEVICE COMPRISING A SUPPORT FRAME, UMBRELLA SHANK RECEIVER MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME FOR SUPPORTING THE SHANK OF AN UMBRELLA, MOTOR MEANS FOR SAID FRAME OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID RECEIVER MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID RECEIVER MEANS RELATIVE TO SAID FRAME, CLAMP MEANS MOVABLY MOUNTED IN SAID RECEIVER MEANS AND SHIFTABLE BETWEEN A NORMALLY OPEN RELEASING POSITION AND A CLOSED GRIPPING POSITION OF SAID SHANK, SAID CLAMP MEANS, IN THE CLOSED 